West Bengal CM pulls up civic, power officials
Mamata also directed Howrah Municipal Corporation mayor Rathin Chakraborty to curb activities like pond-filling and illegal constructions.
Kolkata: Expressing her displeasure over the problem of low voltage in large parts of Howrah, chief minister Mamata Banerjee pulled up officials of the power department on Friday and directed them to address the issue on a priority basis.
She also directed Howrah Municipal Corporation mayor Rathin Chakraborty to curb activities like pond-filling and illegal constructions.
Addressing the administrative review meeting, Ms Banerjee said, “Why am I getting so many complaints? You should appoint a nodal officer to settle the problem.”
Ms Banerjee also pointed out that some areas lije Panchla, Bally, Jagacha and Amta are facing the problem of low voltage. Referring to the protest at Bhangor in South 24 Parganas which led to stalling of the construction work for a power grid, the chief minister said, “In some areas, people are being naughty, but it is the responsibility of the power department to convince them. If a power grid is not set up, how can we solve the power problem? How can industries be set up without power?” she said.
In an advice to the HMC mayor, the chief minister said, “Filling up of water bodies for illegal construction for the sake of individual interest should be strongly dealt with.”
The chief minister declared that her government is mulling with the idea of running parallel English, Bengali and Hindi mediums in a single school to overcome the problem of dropouts. Many students are shifting to English medium schools from Bengali medium. “We are trying to arrive at a policy decision in this regard in consultaion with the education department,” she said. Suggesting that if students were given the choice to select the medium in which they want to study, then they would not leave the school. She also urged private hospitals to solve problems related to medical negligence on their own, as the government is against interfering in their affairs.
“If there is any grievance, then try to settle it yourself. If you manage to do so, then we would never interfere, but if you are unable to do it, then we would be compelled to do so,” she said.